Multi-picture frame apparatus and kit

ABSTRACT

A modular picture frame apparatus and kit incorporates a plurality of picture frames of differing sizes mounted on linear support members. Each picture frame has channels corresponding to the horizontal cross-section of the linear support members. Magnets or other attachment means are disposed in the channels or on the linear support members to hold the picture frames in a desired position on the linear support members. Linear support members may be mounted on a wall or other mounting surface. Other elements of the apparatus may include corkboard, whiteboard, chalkboard or mirror attached to the mounting surface.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to picture frames, and more particularly to an apparatus and a kit for mounting multiple pictures for display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the access to low cost photography by consumers, a market has developed for photography accessories. An important segment of this market is picture mounting and framing.

A wide variety of frames are available in a variety of materials, sizes and configurations. It is desirable for a picture frame to be easy to assemble and disassemble, and to offer a variety of configurations to permit individual expression in displaying photographs.

It is known to provide a device for mounting and framing a photograph using magnets to hold a photograph between front and back surfaces of a frame. Such a device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,885,336 to Olsen.

It is also known to provide an apparatus which comprises a plurality of separately framed compartments, each of which may display a photograph mounted thereon by magnetic means. Such a device is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,083 to Vampatella.

There are a number of desirable objectives in relation to a multi-picture frame apparatus. Such an apparatus should ideally be easy to assemble and disassemble, permit assembly into a variety of structures, and allow for easy mounting and dismounting of pictures on the display surface.

Existing picture framing devices achieve some of these objectives, but with varying degrees of success. Many of the prior art devices, such as the Vampatella apparatus, are bulky and do not permit of ease of packing and shipping. Prior art devices which are not modular are not ideal as they require higher packing, storing and shipping costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one of its aspects, the multi-picture frame apparatus according to the invention comprises one or more frame support tracks, mounting means for mounting the frame support tracks on a support surface, a plurality of picture frames each having a front and back surface, wherein each frame has one medial channel extending the length and one medial channel extending the width of its back surface for cooperation with the frame support tracks, and magnetic bonding means for supporting the picture frames channels on the frame support track.

The multi-picture frame apparatus may further comprise a plurality of spacer blocks each having a front and back surface, each spacer block having one medial channel extending the length and one medial channel extending the width of its back surface for cooperation with the frame support track, and magnetic bonding means for supporting the spacer block channels on the frame support tracks. The magnetic bonding means may comprise one or more magnets attached to the frame support tracks or to each of the channels.

The multi-picture frame apparatus may further comprise a backing support for mounting thereon of the frame support track.

The multi-picture frame apparatus may further comprise one or more of a mirror, a corkboard, a chalkboard and a whiteboard mounted on the visible surface of the backing support. The frame support tracks and the channels may have a rectangular cross section.

In another of its aspects, the invention comprises a multi-picture frame kit having modular frame support track elements, a plurality of picture frames having one medial channel extending the length and one medial channel extending the width of its back surface for cooperation with the frame support track, a collapsible backing support, and mounting means for mounting the kit on a support surface.

The multi-picture framing kit may further comprise one or more of a mirror, a corkboard, a chalkboard and a whiteboard for mounting on the visible surface of the backing support.

Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the description of the preferred embodiment which follows and to the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described by reference to the preferred embodiment and the drawings thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front side of a picture frame element, according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear side of a picture frame element, according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of one embodiment of the assembly, according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section through line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing a picture frame element mounted on a linear support member; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of another embodiment of the assembly according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF BEST MODE AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The picture frame assembly and kit of the invention comprises modular elements. One of the elements, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is a picture frame 2. The picture frame is generally planar, and preferably rectangular in shape, although a variety of shapes is possible. As best seen in FIG. 1, each picture frame element 2 has a picture mounting surface 4 on its front surface. As best seen in FIG. 2, on the opposed rear surface 6, a first linear channel 8 extends the length of the frame at a medial position and a second linear channel 10 extends the width of the frame at a medial position intersecting the first linear channel. One or more magnetic attraction means 12 are disposed in the linear channels.

Each frame may display on its front surface a photograph or other image, text, or other items. The frame elements may be a wide variety of sizes to accommodate photographs of differing size.

As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus and kit also comprises at least one linear support member 14. The linear support member 14 is of a width and thickness which corresponds to the width and depth of the linear channels 8, 10 to permit a close fit between the support member and the channel. Magnetic attraction means (not shown) are positioned at the interface between the linear support and the channel. Magnetic attraction means may comprise a magnet on the surface of the linear support member in cooperation with a magnetic substance, such as a magnetic metal in the linear channel. Alternatively, the magnet may be located in the channel and the magnetic substance on the linear support member, or magnets of opposite poles may be located in the channel and on the linear support member.

The linear support member may be rigid or flexible. A flexible linear support member may be bent to a desired shape prior to mounting on a support surface to permit a wide variety of display options. Individual picture frames may be easily added to, repositioned on, or removed from the mounted linear support member.

As demonstrated in FIG. 4, the corresponding geometry of the linear support member 14 and the linear channel 8 provides support to hold the picture frame in a desired position. The magnetic attraction means, for example a magnet 18 on the linear support member and a magnetic substance 20 in the linear channel, provides additional force to hold the picture frame in position, while permitting easy manual removal or repositioning.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the apparatus and kit of the invention. Linear support members 14 are mounted on a backing support 22. Individual frame elements 2 may be mounted on the linear support members in desired positions. Corkboard 24 or other planar accessories such as chalkboard, whiteboard or mirror, may be mounted on the backing support 22. Such accessories may be provided with an adhesive backing layer for mounting the accessory on the backing support. The backing support may be mounted on a mounting surface such as a wall. Alternatively, with the addition of a stand, the apparatus may be displayed on a desk or other horizontal surface.

By completely covering the linear support member in an apparatus such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the frames will be better retained in position on the linear support member. As a variety of sizes of frames may be used in a desired assembly, the apparatus and kit may also include filler pieces (not shown) which are of dimensions selected to complement the frame sizes for a particular kit, such that the entire linear support member may be covered by a combination of frames and filter pieces.

Although in the preferred embodiment magnets are used to hold the frames in position on the linear support member, other attachment means are possible.

The modular elements of the picture frame apparatus may be easily disassembled into a kit for packing, storing and shipping. The picture frame elements are individually removable. The linear support members may be segmented for ease of packing. The backing support and accessory materials such as whiteboard, corkboard, blackboard or mirror may be collapsible by folding or rolling to permit easier packing, storage and shipping of the kit.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other variations of the preferred embodiment may also be practised without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. A multi-picture frame apparatus comprising: one or more frame support tracks, mounting means for mounting the frame support tracks on a support surface, a plurality of picture frames each having a front and back surface, wherein each frame has one medial channel extending the length and one medial channel extending the width of its back surface for cooperation with the frame support tracks, and magnetic bonding means for supporting the picture frames channels on the frame support track.
 2. The multi-picture frame apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of spacer blocks each having a front and back surface, each spacer block having one medial channel extending the length and one medial channel extending the width of its back surface for cooperation with the frame support track, and magnetic bonding means for supporting the spacer block channels on the frame support tracks.
 3. The multi-picture frame apparatus of claim 1 wherein the magnetic bonding means comprises one or more magnets attached to the frame support tracks.
 4. The multi-picture frame apparatus of claim 1 wherein the magnetic bonding means comprises one or more magnets attached to each of the channels.
 5. The multi-picture frame apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a backing support for mounting thereon of the frame support track.
 6. The multi-picture frame apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more of a mirror, a corkboard, a chalkboard and a whiteboard mounted on the visible surface of the backing support.
 7. The multi-picture frame apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frame support tracks and the channels have a rectangular cross section.
 8. A multi-picture frame kit comprising modular frame support track elements, a plurality of picture frames having one medial channel extending the length and one medial channel extending the width of its back surface for cooperation with the frame support track, a collapsible backing support, and mounting means for mounting the kit on a support surface.
 9. The multi-picture framing kit of claim 8, further comprising one or more of a mirror, a corkboard, a chalkboard and a whiteboard for mounting on the visible surface of the backing support. 